On this summer and Fall

So I realized that I'm awful about updating this, but regardless, I will update you on my summer and plans for this winter. I spent this summer in Skagway, Alaska again. The highlights of the summer included a roadtrip to Fairbanks, Talkeetna, Denali, and Anchorage with my two good friends Tim and Gary. Tim, Hunter, and I had another highlight which was summiting Pyramid Peak above Skagway AK, and Tim and my trek to try to climb a glaciated peak, which failed miserably but was fun nonetheless. Spent most of the summer guiding zip-lining trips, climbing trips once in a while, and one ice climbing trip around the fourth of july. When I got back to Salt Lake City in late september, I begun climbing again, and have been doing trad routes around 5.8, and sport routes almost up to 5.10.

As for my plans for this summer, I am going to be working for Snowbird Ski Patrol as Trail Crew, which I just found out about yesterday, working guiding Ski and Ice Climbing trips in my free time, and pending as an observer for the Utah Avalanche Center. I will be training very hard this winter to not only complete my AMGA ski guide course, but climb Denali starting in May 2011. I am pumped on this climb, and we have an awesome team put together. Work at the Bird starts on Monday, and who knows, but with the expected snowfall, we could be open by next weekend?? I have been skiing a few times so far this season, and have big expectations for my off days. Hope to make some great ski partners at Snowbird to do more things with

Graduation

It's been a few months since I've posted anything on here, mainly due to the lack of time I've had, with being a full time ski instructor, an RA, and going to school full time, but almost all of that is over now. I have less then a week of school left... 10 days of being an RA left, and 10 days until I begin the drive to Alaska! I am so excited, and at the same time a little nervous. Everything seems to be happening at once. Moving out, getting my own car insurance, thankfully not health insurance yet, and just being virtually unsupported financially anymore. It definitely is a lot to think about, and a lot to have to worry about, and I hope I can make it work this summer and next winter, as I think that may be the trial period for me.

Anyways, just got back from the San Rafael Swell, in central Utah, and the entrance was mere miles from the entrance to Joes Valley. Headed in, dropped off a car shuttle, and backpacked 18ish miles through awesomeness. A hike that started out and looked like anything on the east coast, turned into a Zion extravaganza essentially. We went from no walls, to having towering walls, over a thousand feel above us, with sandstone that was so incredibly beautiful. The river crossings added a lot of adventure to this trip as well, and the fact that this is my last class in college, added the finishing touches. I made some new connections, had a great time, and got to enjoy what will probably be my last trip to the desert before I head to Alaska.

Most of my room is packed up and I'm ready to go, and I'm anxious about this journey, but at the same time, I am quite confident that I can handle it. That's it for now, but I'll keep this updated more, hopefully next time with a list of objectives to explore/conquer God-willing in Alaska!

Long time no blog...again...

SO this has been an incredibly interesting week. Tons of hiking around, and pretty decent skiing. On Monday skinned from Brighton to Catherines pass, dropping down inside Alta ski resort, and to the base to visit AMG. After hanging out and having lunch, I returned to Brighton via the pass between Solitude and Alta where the Alta cat skiing goes. I then skinned up to the summit of Wolverine, and skied THC couloir down.

Then yesterday between 9 and 10:15 I hiked and skied Elevator Shaft at Brighton. Here is a picture. Skiing off the summit you can see the rock bands about 1/3 of the way down.

Check out these insane pictures courtesy of Brody Leven

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14117542@N08/sets/72157623417577489/

Long time no blog

Where to begin? Well yesterday a buddy of mine and I travelled up Mount Superior to the summit, for an incredible adventure. We started hiking at 6:42, and reached pole line pass at 7:30. Very quick. After a skin malfunction just above the pass, I had to boot the rest of the way to the summit, not fun at the beginning, but once the boot pack became heavily used, there was no more sinking up to my knees. This first picture is of pole line pass with the first rays of sunlight just barely having hit it.

Pole line Pass

Me just above pole line pass

Me dropping in off Superior

Little Cottonwood Canyon at my feet

Then Today, Feb 9, 2010, I headed up to Brighton to work. Didn't end up working morning shift so I went out and skied with my boss. Here is the result of that. Pretty pumped

In resort at Brighton